Agroecology as a science, a movement and a

practice: can it feed the world?

Prof. Irene Maria Cardoso irene@ufv.br

centro de

tecnologias

alternativas

ZONA DA MATA

Center for Alternative Technologies of Zona da Mata

Federal University of Viçosa Soil Science Department

Brazilian Association for Agroecology

Introduction

1. Is agroecology a movement, a practice or a science?

2. Is it possible to feed the world using the agroecological approach

in agriculture?

3. What is the best: intensifying agriculture to have more area for

nature conservation or to have a more extensive agriculture

integrated with nature?

4. Share of our experiences (agroforestry systems), in the Zona da

Mata of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

5. Leave for the discussion: how can we scale up the agroecological

experiences around the world?

1. Is agroecology a movement, a practice or a science?

1.1. Is agroecology a movement?

In Brazil, in the end of 70´s and 80´s agroecology started as alternative agriculture.

Alternative agriculture as a response to the environmental and social problems created by the Green Revolution technologies applied to agriculture.

Main actors: a) agronomists (linked to the Federation of the Agronomist

Associations and the Federation of the Students of Agronomy, still very active);

b) NGOs and farmer organizations (supported by the

Liberation Theology – Grassroot Eclesial Comunities – CEBs,

linked mainly to the Catholic Church).

- linked to the left wing parties – especially the Labor Party

(1982). 2002. Foundation of the ANA - National Articulation of

Agroecology (http://www.agroecologia.org.br) – network

especially among NGOs, social movements, but also

scientists.

Meetings

1989. The IV (and last) Alternative Agriculture Conference –

around 4000 people (students, agronomists, farmers etc).

2002. 1st National Meeting of Agroecology. Around 1000 people

(mainly farmers and technicians, but also scientists).

2006. 2nd National Meeting of Agroecology. Almost 2000 people

(mainly farmers and technicians, but also scientists).

- In 2012, ANA and ABA (Brazilian Association of Agroecology –

more linked to the scientists) in agreement with the Ministries of

Environment and Rural Development will present a proposal for

the National Program for Agroecology.

This shows that Agroecology is a movement in Brasil!

1.2. Is agroecology a practice?

Diversity within

and among

agroecosystems

Complex Agroecosystems

Traditional Knowledge

Agrobiodiversity

Adapted of Boef et al., 2007

To manage biodiversity and to develop complex

agroecosystems we need farmer s knowledge

Agroecology does not have a package (as does the industrial

agriculture).

Agroecology is highly knowledge-intensive while high-tech

typically accounts for only a small portion of its recipes

(IAASTD)

We need the farmer´s experience to observe, to take decisions, to

give inputs.

For agroecology:

- Participatory approach is essential.

- The on-farm experiments are very important.

- To respect and to value farmer´s knowledge is imperative!

(This is very important to raise farmer´s self esteem)

www.agroecologiaemrede.org.br: 709 experiences are registered.

In Brasil agroecology is developed with the farmers!

We have much more! In Zona da Mata we registered, so far,

21 experiences. We have more than one hundred!

It is a practice!

Santa Fé Farm: our slogan is agroecology!

1.3. Is agroecology a science?

Agroecology is shortly defined as the science that studies the

agroecosystems.

The ecological principles that apply to the natural ecosystems

(symbiosis, competition, nutrient cycling etc) also apply to the

agroecosystems.

Contrary to the natural ecosystems, the agroecosystems are

influenced by economy and cultural and social factors. For instance,

land tenure, market, prices and history are all very important.

- Consumers are also included. Nowadays, the definition of

agroecology is towards a larger focus on the entire food system,

defined as a global network of food production, distribution and

consumption (Gliessman, 2007).

- However, agroecology does not study only food systems, but also

the production of energy, wood and fibers.

- Moreover, there are boundaries among agroecosystems and among

agroecosystems and the natural ecosystems.

Thus, agroecology is a science to study agriculture, but ….

Agriculture that must be ecologically sound, socially and

culturally responsible, and economically viable.

Therefore, agroecology requires a multidisciplinary (or

transdisciplinary) approach.

2004. On the scientific side, the Brazilian Association of

Agroecology (ABA) was created (http://www.aba-agroecologia.org.br)

ANA and ABA work together, but ABA is more connected to

science and ANA to the social movements.

December 2011. The 7th National Conference of Agroecology

was organized by ABA. More than 2000 people attended, mainly

students and scientists, but also farmers and technicians

More than 1000 papers were presented (http://www.aba-

agroecologia.org.br – cadernos de agroecologia).

In 2006, Agroecology was officially recognized as a science by

EMBRAPA - the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation.

The referential benchmark for agroecology was published

(http://www.embrapa.br/publicacoes)

Recently, several technical, undergraduate and graduate courses

on agroecology were created in several universities, theses have

been developed, papers published…

Thus, agroecology is a science!

Therefore, in Brasil, agroecology is a movement, a practice and a

science.

This is supported by Wezel et al., 2009. Agron. Sustain. Dev.

(available on line).

In my opinion, this is what makes agroecology so wonderful.

Agroecology is not an emotionless and pseudo-neutral science

2. Is it possible to feed the world using the agroecological

approach in agriculture?

IAASTD (International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge,

Science and Technology for Development) involved 400 scientists

around the world to help answering this question.

IAASTD Co-sponsors: FAO, UNEP, UNESCO, UNDP, WB, WHO, GEF

Agriculture at a cross road (2009) – 606 pages:

http://www.agassessment.org

Greenpeace: summary of the main findings of the IAASTD,

(64 pages) - Agriculture at a cross road: food for survival.

“Industrialisation of agriculture with its monocultural approach,

neglect of the ecological and social multifunctionality of

agriculture, and commodification of food on a global level will

not only fail to guarantee the survival of 9 billion people on this

planet, expected for 2050. It is about to destroy the basis of our

food supply and threatens the web of life upon which we all

depend.” (Summary by Greenpeace , based on IAASTD report).

A reverse question: Is is possible to feed the world with the

indutrialised agriculture?

The IAASTD also argued that we must change from industrial

to agro-ecological methods and that we need to have an

approach to food production that is multi-functional.

You cannot solve the problem with the same kind of thinking that created the problem

Albert Einstein

De Schutter, 2010 – special rapporteur, for the United Nations, on

the right to food also helped to answer the question

Drawing on an extensive review of the scientific literature

published in the last five years, the Special Rapporteur identifies

“agroecology as a mode of agricultural development which

not only shows strong conceptual connections with the right to

food, but has proven results for fast progress in the concretization

of this human right for many vulnerable groups in various

countries and environments. And it strongly contributes to the

broader economic development”.

3. What is the best: intensifying agriculture to have

more area for nature conservation or to have a more

extensive agriculture integrated with nature?

Fragments surrounded by a monocultural agriculture matrix.

This is the reality of the Atlantic Forest – hotspot of biodiversity.

What to do?

forest fragments… Coffee

pastures

forest fragments…

To answer the question, Perfecto et al. 2009 (Nature´s Matrix: Linking

Agriculture, Conservation and Food Sovereignty) can help us.

3.1. Fragments as Islands

- There is more biodiversity in larger islands and in islands more

close to the mainland. Why?

More microhabitats, thus provide more niches for the species to fill

Theory of Island Biogeography: the population of organisms are

always dispersing. Each area is receiving migrants at any time.

If,

Extinction is a natural process.

The number of species in one island will increase, if immigration is

higher than extinction,

A

A A

The question is: if the fragments are like island, is the agricultural

matrix around the fragments like an ocean that impedes migration?

If you consider the agricultural matrix as an ocean – you argue for the intensification.

However, you will fail. Why?

3.2. The argument in favor of intensification1 as a way to increasing

yields and conserving wildlife is based is two assumptions:

First, agricultural intensification leads to land sparing;

Second, biodiversity declines with increasing yields.

1intensification considered as agroecosystems that are heavily

dependent on agrochemicals, tillage and monoculture.

First argument. Land sparing (this is not supported by data –

article of faith).

Why?

Intensification does not take place in a social-political vacuum.

“Regions that experience agriculture intensification also

experience increased economic activity, high demands for products

and services, immigration, road constructions, and as

consequence, in many cases: deforestation” (Perfecto et al.,

2009)

Second argument: biodiversity declines with increasing yields

It is true for industrial agriculture systems, especially following

the green revolution technologies.

But not necessarily for agroecological ecosystems, intensely

managed and intense in knowledge.

It is possible to have highly productive agroecological farming

systems and at the same time to maintain and promote

biodiversity.

Agricultural fields do not need to be like an ocean.

What matters?

A high quality agricultural matrix around the fragments that

permits an easy migration from fragment to fragment.

Thus, even if the species can not persist in the matrix, species will

frequently move through the matrix, maintaining the functioning

of the metapopulation dynamics.

In the Atlantic Forest we have from two to four dry months. In these

months the food production in the forest is low.

Bats (?) feeding on the passion fruit!

Maracanas (endangered species)

feeding on the left over corn

Supported by:

Goulart et al. (2011), Frugivory by five bird species in agroforest

home gardens of Pontal do Paranapanema , Brazil. Agroforestry

Systems: 82 (3) 239-246

Four out of five bird species used forest habitats more frequently

than agroforestry systems. However, feeding activity was higher in

agroforestry systems than in forests.

The number of food taxa were 19 in secondary forest and 28 in

agroforestry systems.

Agroforestry systems are important as a resource-rich environment

for frugivorous birds. This richness is related to the ability of these

environments to support species during the dry season, as well as to

the amount and variety of fleshy fruits found in these habitats.

It is also good for human beings

Better quality of food.

Better work environment for the

farmers.

Via Campesina campaign against the use of

pesticides in Brasil: we consume around 5

litres of pesticides per year per person

4. Our experience

Atlantic Rainforest Biome: Hotspot of biodiversity

The Atlantic Forest ranks among the top five of the 25 richest and

most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on Earth (so-

called biodiversity hotspots ) (Myers et al. 2000).

• Nowadays: around 7% of it remains.

• One of the reasons: agriculture

Main land use: full-sun coffee and pasture in monoculture. Managed mainly by family farmers.

forest fragments…

Coffee

pastures

forest fragments…

Following the agroecological principles, CTA-ZM in

partnership with UFV and small farmers organizations in

Zona da Mata developed agroforestry systems, using a

participatory approach.

1993 - a Participatory Rural Apraisal (PRA) process was

undertaken in Araponga (municipality of Zona da Mata).

One of the biggest problems pointed out by the farmers was

the loss of soil quality – “enfraquecimento das terras”.

Agroforestry Systems

The farmers prioritized land use problems and selected a

committee called “terra forte” (strong land) composed of farmers,

staff of the NGO and the Soil Department/UFV to present some

land conservation proposals to overcome the problem.

The committee suggested several practices.

- Most of them common to the farmers:

Ex.: green manure; management of the spontaneous

vegetation;

- One not common to the farmers: agroforesty systems

Why are trees so important?

- Better use of the environment: above and below ground

coffee

Increase mycorrhizal network in

deeper layer of the soil Some trees are leguminosae:

rhizobium simbiosis

- Attract more associated biodiversity: birds, bees etc.

Associated biodiversity is responsible for many ecosystem services

Why are trees so important?

Ph

oto

: A

rn

e J

an

ssen

In the green revolution type of agriculture, the ecosystem

services (nutrient cycling, pest controls, soil structure etc.)

were replaced by chemical fertilizers, tillage and pesticides.

You can decide to be dependent on the biodiversity or on the

industries that produce the chemicals.

The replacement of the environmental services by chemicals is

key to understand why agriculture, instead of benefiting, harms

the biodiversity.

Around 30 experiences, in 11 municipalities;

Each experience 1000 m2;

Agroforestry in Zona da Mata started in 1994

From 2003 to 2005, CTA, farmers and the Soil Department

systematized the experience with the agroforestry systems, using a

participatory approach (Sousa et al, 2010: Agrof. Syst. 80, 1-16).

- Farmers were visited and interviewed and

we organized several meetings with the

farmers

Meeting at CTA

Meeting in the community

Meeting at the University

Interview

Pasture with trees

During the systematization, we concentrated on agroforestry

coffee systems. We are studying pasture systems now!

Definition resulting from this

process:

- A diversified tree stratum;

- A bush stratum (coffee and

others);

- A herbaceous stratum,

(leguminosae, spontaneous

vegetation, edible plants etc).

Agroforestry systems

Degraded land

Some results

- “Cedro rosa, dá uma madeira bonita, pode rachar umas tabuinhas

fininhas, nao vou dizer que plantei para isto, mas se precisar... Só

tinha árvore no cafe orgânico, agora eu tenho muitas árvores. Eu

penso que daqui há alguns anos eu vou ter arvores em toda a minha

propriedade, não muito adensado, mas árvore em toda a

propriedade. Então como eu vou fazer para tirar lenha? Madeira?

Muitas eu nem preciso cortar, eu vou so subir e cortar os galhos...”

The same land 15 years later

Another view

Diversification of the

production

Papaya

For the family!

Banana

For the animals...

Avocado

For the wild animals...

Eaten papaya

Eaten avocado

And also for Dutch guys, if they are there in the correct season...

Gijs – from Otherwise , in the past

Water

Wood: due to the management:

fire wood, small constructions, fences...

Low branch was cut to

allow more light and air

into the pasture

More associated biodiversity

Coffee plant

1000 avocado plants

300 boxes: US$ 600,00

180 boxes

of banana/month

US$ 360,00

Coffee

60 products + coffee

Breakfeast

Lunch

Food security and sovereignty

Photo: Jaap Meijering

Photo: Jaap Meijering

Almost all food is produced

at the farm

Healthy and nice environment for the family!

Healthy child: the best indicator of life quality!

And coffee...

Coffee...

Solanum argenteum

The idea is to seach for a local optimum rather than single

purpose maximum results (IAASTD)

Avocado Banana

Maize

Sugar-cane

Coffee is somewhere here

Since the beginning these COMPLEX systems have been studied,

nowadays more intensely.

Pollinization Floristic studies

Soil quality

Erosion Nutrient cycling

(sampling material for Loes Mertens,

to screen for mycorrhiza)

Sampling S. macranthera roots for mycorrhizal studies

Agroforestry

Conventional

Mycorrhizal spores at different soil depths under agroforestry (AF) and

monocultural coffee systems (MC). The agricultural systems were 5 years old

(Young), 15-20 years old (Medium) and 20-24 years old (Old) (Cardoso et al.

2003).

We do our best to study the systems together with the family

farmers and their organizations!

5. How can we scale up the agroecological

experiences around the world?

There are several experiences as ours in Zona da Mata... The question is:

Scale up: understood as having more farmers producing in

agroecological ways,

Which means:

Less land intensely managed with pesticides and fertilizers and

More land intensely managed with knowledge and

biodiversity!

What we want is to go “From Islands of Success to Seas of Change!”

From Islands of Success to Seas of Change

Initiative for Scaling Inclusive Agri-Food Markets

A conference that will take place in The Netherlands, April, 2012

http://www.seasofchangeinitiative.net/

De Schutter (2011), the special UN rapporteur, argues that the

scaling up of these experiences is the main challenge today.

The IAASTD: We know the solutions. We have the power to

change. What are we waiting for?

1) The empire of the agribusiness and food industries

IAASTD (summary by Greenpeace):

“The summaries were adopted, negotiated line by line, and the

overall assessment approved by 58 out of 61 participating

governments. Three governments (USA, Canada and Australia)

welcomed the assessment, but felt unable to fully endorse its

conclusions. In a last-minute move before the final plenary,

representatives of Syngenta and CropLife International. The

association of global agrochemical companies, withdrew from the

process after years of active participation and contribution.

Among the most contentious issues at stake was the role of global

trade, of genetic engineering, and of intellectual property rights,

as well as the overall assessment of industrial agriculture as

compared to small-scale farming”. Who has the power????

2) Consumers

What do you eat? Where do you buy your food? What do you do

to change the situation?

Do you know this place?

3) Farmers

According to Keshavarz (2010, in: Sociology, Organic Farming,

Climate Change and Soil Science):

The decision about whether take advice about conservation (I

could say agroecology) are affected by three dimensions

- The personality of the farmer.

- The advisory structure

- The policy environment facing farmers

4. Public Policies. De Schutter (2010) - special rapporteur, for the United

Nations advises:

Appropriate public policies can create an enabling environment for

such sustainable modes of production. These policies should

prioritize:

obtaining goods for public spending rather than solely providing

input subsidies;

investing in knowledge by reinvesting in agricultural research and

extension services;

investing in forms of social organization that encourage

partnerships, including farmer field schools and farmers

movements innovation networks;

investing in agricultural research and extension systems;

empowering women;

and creating a macro-economic enabling environment, including

connecting sustainable farms to fair markets.

Simple steps in the right direction (Greenpeace´s summary based

on the IAASTD report):

1. Food First.

2. Women make the difference.

3. Smallholders are the key to sustainable food security. Produce

most of the food humanity consumes.

(IBGE, 2006)

Total of farms: 4367902 Total Area

Family Farmers

Other farmers

Family

Farmers

Other farmers

Receive only 25% of the credits

Family Agriculture x Industrial Agriculture in Brazil

Family Agriculture produces 70% of the food that reach the

Brazilian´s tables!

4. Replace monocultures with diversity.

Maize (24%)

Soybeans (35%)

Sugar-cane (12%)

Others (13%)

IBGE (2007)

Monoculture

Monoculture

Cultivated area - BRAZIL

5. Design agricultural policies that support and enhance the multiple

ecological functions of agriculture.

6. Escape the pesticide treadmill!

7. Minimize fossil fuel dependency.

8. Grow and produce food as close as possible to those who eat it.

9. Reduce and optimize meat, eggs and milk production and

consumption.

10. Reduce waste of food and other agricultural products at every

step of production, processing and distribution.

11. Rethink and improve how bioenergy is produced and utilized.

12. More trees!

13. Adapt global trade to the major challenges.

14. Share the knowledge needed for survival

investing in forms of social organization that encourage

partnerships, including farmer field schools and farmers

movements innovation networks (De Schutter, 2010);

Conclusions:

YES,

Agroecology is a science, a movement and a practice.

It is possible to feed the world using the agroecological

approach.

It is better to have agriculture that is more friendly to nature than

to intensify agriculture using pesticides, monocultures, GMOs

and tillage.

We have several islands of good experiences, as the one in Zona

da Mata.

To have seas of change depends also on you!

Thank you!

Obrigada!

“The world will be sustainable only when people start talking about sustainability

of the soul” Vilma Machado

Farmer´s

Organizations agroBIODIVERSITY